Howmet Aerospace Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Howmet Aerospace Reports Third Quarter 2023 Results

Third Quarter Revenue Up 16% Year Over Year; Strong Profit and Cash Generation

$200 Million Debt Redemption, $25 Million Share Repurchases, Increased Common Stock Dividend

Full Year 2023 Guidance Increased

2024 Preliminary Revenue Growth Guidance Approximately 7%

PITTSBURGH–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM):


Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Revenue of $1.66 billion, up 16% year over year, driven by commercial aerospace, up 23% year over year
  • Net income of $188 million versus $80 million in the third quarter 2022; earnings per share of $0.45 versus $0.19 in the third quarter 2022; third quarter 2023 operating income margin of 18.5%
  • Net income excluding special items of $192 million versus $152 million in the third quarter 2022; adjusted earnings per share excluding special items of $0.46, up 28% year over year
  • Adjusted EBITDA excluding special items of $382 million, up 18% year over year
  • Adjusted EBITDA margin excluding special items of 23.0%
  • Generated $191 million cash from operations and $132 million of free cash flow; $243 million of cash used for financing activities; and $58 million of cash used for investing activities
  • Cash balance at end of quarter of $425 million including impacts of debt redemption, common stock repurchases and $0.04 per share dividend on common stock

2023 Guidance

Q4 2023 Guidance

FY 2023 Guidance

Low

Baseline

High

Low

Baseline

High

Revenue

$1.620B

$1.635B

$1.650B

 

$6.530B

$6.545B

$6.560B

Adj. EBITDA*1

$370M

$375M

$380M

 

$1.480B

$1.485B

$1.490B

Adj. EBITDA Margin*1

22.8%

22.9%

23.0%

 

22.7%

22.7%

22.7%

Adj. Earnings per Share*1

$0.44

$0.45

$0.46

 

$1.76

$1.77

$1.78

Free Cash Flow1

 

 

 

 

$600M

$635M

$670M

________________________

* Excluding special items

 
1 Reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures, as well as the directly comparable GAAP measures, are not available without unreasonable efforts due to the variability and complexity of the charges and other components excluded from the non-GAAP measures – for further detail, see “2023 Guidance” below.

Key Announcements

  • On September 28, 2023, Howmet Aerospace completed an early partial redemption of its 5.125% Notes due October 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million with cash on hand for approximately $205 million. Following this redemption, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the 2024 Notes is approximately $705 million. This action will reduce annualized interest expense by approximately $10 million.
  • In the third quarter 2023, the Company repurchased $25 million of common stock at an average price of $49.32 per share, retiring approximately 0.5 million shares. As of October 31, 2023, total share repurchase authorization available was $797 million.
  • On September 28, 2023, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share on its common stock. The quarterly dividend represents a 25% increase from the third quarter 2023 dividend of $0.04 per share.
  • On August 23, 2023, Fitch Ratings upgraded Howmet Aerospace’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating to “BBB” from “BBB-,” moving the Company from one to two notches above investment grade on its credit rating scale. On September 18, 2023, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed Howmet Aerospace’s Corporate Family Ratings at Ba1, and also upgraded its current outlook from stable to positive.

Howmet Aerospace (NYSE: HWM) today reported third quarter 2023 results. The Company reported third quarter revenues of $1.66 billion, up 16% year over year, primarily driven by growth in the commercial aerospace market of 23%.

Howmet Aerospace reported net income of $188 million, or $0.45 per share, in the third quarter 2023 versus $80 million, or $0.19 per share, in the third quarter 2022. Net income excluding special items was $192 million, or $0.46 per share, in the third quarter 2023, versus $152 million, or $0.36 per share, in the third quarter 2022. Net income included approximately $4 million in net charges from special items.

Third quarter 2023 operating income was $307 million, up 35% year over year. Third quarter adjusted operating income excluding special items was $314 million, up 22% year over year. Operating income margin was up approximately 260 basis points year over year at 18.5% in the third quarter 2023. Third quarter adjusted operating income margin excluding special items was 18.9%, up approximately 90 basis points year over year.

Third quarter 2023 adjusted EBITDA excluding special items was $382 million, up 18% year over year. The year-over-year increase was driven by volume growth in the commercial aerospace market. Adjusted EBITDA margin excluding special items was up approximately 50 basis points year over year at 23.0%, including approximately $15 million of additional inflationary cost pass through year over year. Excluding the additional year over year inflationary cost pass through, adjusted EBITDA margin excluding special items was 23.3%.

Howmet Aerospace Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Plant said, “The Howmet Aerospace team delivered solid results in the third quarter 2023 in all respects. Total revenue increased 16% year over year, led by commercial aerospace revenue up 23%. The Company exceeded the high end of all aspects of its guidance range with adjusted EBITDA margin* increasing to a healthy 23.0%, and adjusted earnings per share* up 28% year over year.”

Mr. Plant continued, “The outlook for the commercial aerospace market continues to be robust, supported by demand for new, more fuel-efficient aircraft, as well as increased spares demand. Our defense aerospace and industrial markets also continue to be healthy. Commercial transportation markets have been resilient, but we remain cautious given softening leading indicators. Given the Company’s solid execution and healthy market backdrop, we are again raising our full year 2023 guidance for revenue, adjusted EBITDA*, and adjusted earnings per share*. We expect above-trend growth to continue in full year 2024, with a cautious view on commercial aerospace growth until we see sustained achievement of build rate increases at aircraft OEMs. Our preliminary view envisions year over year revenue growth of approximately 7%.”

“Howmet Aerospace’s balance sheet continues to be a source of strength, with healthy cash flows supporting a $200 million bond redemption and $25 million in common stock repurchases in the third quarter 2023. In the first three quarters of 2023, the Company has reduced gross debt by approximately $376 million, generating $19 million of annualized interest expense savings, and repurchased $150 million of common stock.”

________________________

* Excluding special items

Third Quarter 2023 Segment Performance

Engine Products

Engine Products reported revenue of $798 million, an increase of 17% year over year, due to growth in the commercial aerospace, defense aerospace, oil and gas, and industrial gas turbine markets. Segment revenue declined 3% sequentially from the second quarter 2023, reflecting expected seasonality. Adjusted EBITDA was $219 million, up 18% year over year, driven by favorable volume in the commercial aerospace, defense aerospace, oil and gas, and industrial gas turbine markets. The Segment absorbed approximately 500 net headcount in the quarter and approximately 850 net headcount year to date in support of expected revenue increases. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin increased approximately 20 basis points year over year to 27.4%.

Fastening Systems

Fastening Systems reported revenue of $348 million, an increase of 20% year over year due to growth in the commercial aerospace market, including emerging wide body recovery, and growth in the commercial transportation market. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $76 million, up 19% year over year, driven by favorable volume in the commercial aerospace and commercial transportation markets. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased approximately 20 basis points year over year to 21.8%. Segment EBITDA margin increased approximately 230 basis points sequentially from the second quarter 2023.

Engineered Structures

Engineered Structures reported revenue of $227 million, an increase of 18% year over year due to growth in the commercial aerospace market driven by Russian titanium share gains and emerging wide body recovery, partially offset by declines in the defense aerospace market driven by certain legacy fighter programs. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $30 million, up 7% year over year, driven by favorable volume in the commercial aerospace market, partially offset by unfavorable volume in the defense aerospace market. The Segment absorbed approximately 145 net headcount in the quarter and approximately 195 net headcount year to date in support of expected revenue increases. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased approximately 130 basis points year over year to 13.2%. The Segment improved production rates in the third quarter 2023 and increased sequential revenue by 14% and Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin by 320 basis points versus the second quarter 2023.

Forged Wheels

Forged Wheels reported revenue of $285 million, an increase of 7% year over year due to a 13% increase in volume driven by growth in the commercial transportation market, partially offset by lower aluminum prices. Segment Adjusted EBITDA was $77 million, up 20% year over year, driven by favorable volume. Segment Adjusted EBITDA margin increased approximately 290 basis points year over year to 27.0% as the impact of lower aluminum prices was partially offset by inflationary cost pass through.

Redeemed $200 Million of Debt in Third Quarter 2023

On September 28, 2023, Howmet Aerospace completed an early partial redemption of its 5.125% Notes due October 2024 in the aggregate principal amount of $200 million. Such 2024 Notes were redeemed with cash on hand at an aggregate redemption price of approximately $205 million, including accrued interest of approximately $5 million. Following this redemption, the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the 2024 Notes is approximately $705 million. This action will reduce annualized interest expense by approximately $10 million. In the first quarter 2023, the Company redeemed $150 million and additionally repurchased approximately $26 million of the aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes. These three combined actions reduce annualized interest expense by approximately $19 million. All of the Company’s outstanding debt is unsecured and at fixed interest rates.

Repurchased $25 Million of Common Stock in Third Quarter 2023

In the third quarter 2023, Howmet Aerospace repurchased $25 million of common stock at an average price of $49.32 per share, retiring approximately 0.5 million shares, which represents the 10th consecutive quarter of share repurchase activity. Year to date, the Company repurchased $150 million of common stock at an average price of $45.05 per share, retiring approximately 3.3 million shares. As of October 31, 2023, total share repurchase authorization available was $797 million.

Quarterly Common Stock Dividend Increased to $0.05 Per Share in Fourth Quarter 2023

On September 28, 2023, the Company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share on its common stock to be paid on November 27, 2023, to the holders of record on November 10, 2023. The quarterly dividend represents a 25% increase from the third quarter 2023 dividend of $0.04 per share.

Fitch Rating Upgrade; Moody’s Outlook Upgrade

On August 23, 2023, Fitch Ratings upgraded Howmet Aerospace’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating to “BBB” from “BBB-,” moving the Company from one to two notches above investment grade on its credit rating scale. On September 18, 2023, Moody’s Investors Service affirmed Howmet Aerospace’s Corporate Family Ratings at Ba1, and also upgraded the Company’s current outlook from stable to positive. Earlier in the year, on April 25, 2023, S&P affirmed Howmet’s long-term debt rating at BB+ and upgraded the current outlook from stable to positive.

2023 Guidance

Q4 2023 Guidance

FY 2023 Guidance

Low

Baseline

High

Low

Baseline

High

Revenue

$1.620B

$1.635B

$1.650B

 

$6.530B

$6.545B

$6.560B

Adj. EBITDA*1

$370M

$375M

$380M

 

$1.480B

$1.485B

$1.490B

Adj. EBITDA Margin*1

22.8%

22.9%

23.0%

 

22.7%

22.7%

22.7%

Adj. Earnings per Share*1

$0.44

$0.45

$0.46

 

$1.76

$1.77

$1.78

Free Cash Flow1

 

 

 

 

$600M

$635M

$670M

* Excluding Special Items

 

1 Reconciliations of the forward-looking non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, as well as the directly comparable GAAP measures, are not available without unreasonable efforts due to the variability and complexity of the charges and other components excluded from the non-GAAP measures, such as the effects of foreign currency movements, gains or losses on sales of assets, taxes, and any future restructuring or impairment charges. In addition, there is inherent variability already included in the GAAP measures, including, but not limited to, price/mix and volume. Howmet Aerospace believes such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors.

Howmet Aerospace will hold its quarterly conference call at 9:30 AM Eastern Time on Thursday, November 2, 2023. The call will be webcast via www.howmet.com. The press release and presentation materials will be available at approximately 7:00 AM ET on November 2, via the “Investors” section of the Howmet Aerospace website.

About Howmet Aerospace

Howmet Aerospace Inc., headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. The Company’s primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, and airframe structural components necessary for mission-critical performance and efficiency in aerospace and defense applications, as well as forged aluminum wheels for commercial transportation. With nearly 1,150 granted and pending patents, the Company’s differentiated technologies enable lighter, more fuel-efficient aircraft and commercial trucks to operate with a lower carbon footprint. For more information, visit www.howmet.com.

Dissemination of Company Information

Howmet Aerospace intends to make future announcements regarding Company developments and financial performance through its website at www.howmet.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that relate to future events and expectations and as such constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include those containing such words as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “envisions,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “goal,” “guidance,” “intends,” “may,” “outlook,” “plans,” “projects,” “seeks,” “sees,” “should,” “targets,” “will,” “would,” or other words of similar meaning. All statements that reflect Howmet Aerospace’s expectations, assumptions or projections about the future, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements, forecasts and outlook relating to the condition of end markets; future financial results or operating performance; future strategic actions; Howmet Aerospace’s strategies, outlook, and business and financial prospects; and any future dividends and repurchases of its debt or equity securities. These statements reflect beliefs and assumptions that are based on Howmet Aerospace’s perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors Howmet Aerospace believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by these statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (a) deterioration in global economic and financial market conditions generally; (b) unfavorable changes in the markets served by Howmet Aerospace; (c) the impact of potential cyber attacks and information technology or data security breaches; (d) the loss of significant customers or adverse changes in customers’ business or financial conditions; (e) manufacturing difficulties or other issues that impact product performance, quality or safety; (f) inability of suppliers to meet obligations due to supply chain disruptions or otherwise; (g) failure to attract and retain a qualified workforce and key personnel; (h) uncertainty of the residual impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Howmet Aerospace’s business, results of operations, and financial condition; (i) the inability to achieve revenue growth, cash generation, restructuring plans, cost reductions, improvement in profitability, or strengthening of competitiveness and operations anticipated or targeted; (j) inability to meet increased demand, production targets or commitments; (k) competition from new product offerings, disruptive technologies or other developments; (l) geopolitical, economic, and regulatory risks relating to Howmet Aerospace’s global operations, including geopolitical and diplomatic tensions, instabilities, conflicts and wars, as well as compliance with U.S. and foreign trade and tax laws, sanctions, embargoes and other regulations; (m) the outcome of contingencies, including legal proceedings, government or regulatory investigations, and environmental remediation, which can expose Howmet Aerospace to substantial costs and liabilities; (n) failure to comply with government contracting regulations; (o) adverse changes in discount rates or investment returns on pension assets; and (p) the other risk factors summarized in Howmet Aerospace’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 and other reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Market projections are subject to the risks discussed above and other risks in the market. The statements in this release are made as of the date of this release, even if subsequently made available by Howmet Aerospace on its website or otherwise. Howmet Aerospace disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether in response to new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Some of the information included in this release is derived from Howmet Aerospace’s consolidated financial information but is not presented in Howmet Aerospace’s financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). Certain of these data are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under SEC rules. These non-GAAP financial measures supplement our GAAP disclosures and should not be considered an alternative to the GAAP measure. Reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures and management’s rationale for the use of the non-GAAP financial measures can be found in the schedules to this release.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. and subsidiaries

Statement of Consolidated Operations (unaudited)

(in U.S. dollar millions, except per-share and share amounts)

 

 

Quarter ended

 

September 30, 2023

 

June 30, 2023

 

September 30, 2022

Sales

$

1,658

 

$

1,648

 

 

$

1,433

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold (exclusive of expenses below)

 

1,183

 

 

1,196

 

 

 

1,056

Selling, general administrative, and other expenses

 

87

 

 

88

 

 

 

73

Research and development expenses

 

9

 

 

9

 

 

 

7

Provision for depreciation and amortization

 

68

 

 

67

 

 

 

65

Restructuring and other charges(1)

 

4

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

Operating income

 

307

 

 

285

 

 

 

228

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss on debt redemption

 

—

 

 

—

 

 

 

—

Interest expense, net

 

54

 

 

55

 

 

 

57

Other expense (income), net(2)

 

11

 

 

(13

)

 

 

67

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

242

 

 

243

 

 

 

104

Provision for income taxes

 

54

 

 

50

 

 

 

24

Net income

$

188

 

$

193

 

 

$

80

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts Attributable to Howmet Aerospace Common Shareholders:

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share – basic(3)(4):

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

$

0.45

 

$

0.47

 

 

$

0.19

Average number of shares(4)(5)

 

412,072,828

 

 

413,240,220

 

 

 

414,646,509

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share – diluted(3)(4):

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per share

$

0.45

 

$

0.46

 

 

$

0.19

Average number of shares(5)

 

414,574,848

 

 

417,005,522

 

 

 

419,748,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock outstanding at the end of the period

 

411,742,755

 

 

412,169,561

 

 

 

413,704,596

(1)

Restructuring and other charges for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 included pension settlement charges, layoff costs, and other exit costs. Restructuring and other charges for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 included pension settlement charges. Restructuring and other charges for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 included pension settlement charges, other exit costs, and accelerated depreciation.

(2)

Other expense (income), net for the quarter ended June 30, 2023 included the reversal of $25, net of legal fees of $1, of the $65 pre-tax charge taken in the third quarter of 2022 related to the Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”) legal proceeding.

(3)

In order to calculate both basic and diluted earnings per share, preferred stock dividends declared of $1 for the quarters presented need to be subtracted from Net income.

(4)

For the quarters presented, the difference between the diluted average number of shares and the basic average number of shares related to share equivalents associated with outstanding awards and employee stock options.

(5)

As average shares outstanding are used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per share, the full impact of share repurchases is not realized in EPS in the year of repurchase for the periods presented.

Howmet Aerospace Inc. and subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheet (unaudited)

(in U.S. dollar millions)

 

 

September 30, 2023

 

December 31, 2022

Assets

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

424

 

 

$

791

 

Receivables from customers, less allowances of $1 in both 2023 and 2022

 

714

 

 

 

506

 

Other receivables

 

13

 

 

 

31

 

Inventories

 

1,748

 

 

 

1,609

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

212

 

 

 

206

 

Total current assets

 

3,111

 

 

 

3,143

 

Properties, plants, and equipment, net

 

2,296

 

 

 

2,332

 

Goodwill

 

4,007

 

 

 

4,013

 

Deferred income taxes

 

45

 

 

 

54

 

Intangibles, net

 

507

 

 

 

521

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

200

 

 

 

192

 

Total assets

$

10,166

 

 

$

10,255

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

Accounts payable, trade

$

894

 

 

$

962

 

Accrued compensation and retirement costs

 

240

 

 

 

195

 

Taxes, including income taxes

 

73

 

 

 

48

 

Accrued interest payable

 

58

 

 

 

75

 

Other current liabilities

 

189

 

 

 

202

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,454

 

 

 

1,482

 

Long-term debt, less amount due within one year

 

3,794

 

 

 

4,162

 

Accrued pension benefits

 

618

 

 

 

633

 

Accrued other postretirement benefits

 

98

 

 

 

109

 

Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits

 

330

 

 

 

268

 

Total liabilities

 

6,294

 

 

 

6,654

 

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

 

 

Howmet Aerospace shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

Preferred stock

 

55

 

 

 

55

 

Common stock

 

412

 

 

 

412

 

Additional capital

 

3,770

 

 

 

3,947

 

Retained earnings

 

1,485

 

 

 

1,028

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(1,850

)

 

 

(1,841

)

Total equity

 

3,872

 

 

 

3,601

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

10,166

 

 

$

10,255

 

Howmet Aerospace and subsidiaries

Statement of Consolidated Cash Flows (unaudited)

(in U.S. dollar millions)

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

2023

 

2022

Operating activities

 

 

 

Net income

$

529

 

 

$

358

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from operations:

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

204

 

 

 

198

 

Deferred income taxes

 

92

 

 

 

58

 

Restructuring and other charges

 

8

 

 

 

12

 

Net realized and unrealized losses

 

17

 

 

 

12

 

Net periodic pension cost

 

28

 

 

 

17

 

Stock-based compensation

 

39

 

 

 

43

 

Loss on debt redemption

 

1

 

 

 

2

 

Other

 

2

 

 

 

26

 

Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of acquisitions, divestitures, and foreign currency translation adjustments:

 

 

 

Increase in receivables

 

(211

)

 

 

(246

)

Increase in inventories

 

(148

)

 

 

(271

)

(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(12

)

 

 

5

 

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable, trade

 

(57

)

 

 

130

 

(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses

 

(18

)

 

 

18

 

Increase (decrease) in taxes, including income taxes

 

17

 

 

 

(1

)

Pension contributions

 

(19

)

 

 

(34

)

Increase in noncurrent assets

 

(2

)

 

 

(5

)

Decrease in noncurrent liabilities

 

(27

)

 

 

(44

)

Cash provided from operations

 

443

 

 

 

278

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

Net change in short-term borrowings

 

—

 

 

 

(4

)

Repurchases and payments on debt

 

(376

)

 

 

(60

)

Premiums paid on early redemption of debt

 

(1

)

 

 

(2

)

Repurchases of common stock

 

(150

)

 

 

(335

)

Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options

 

10

 

 

 

14

 

Dividends paid to shareholders

 

(52

)

 

 

(27

)

Taxes paid for net share settlement of equity awards

 

(77

)

 

 

(23

)

Cash used for financing activities

 

(646

)

 

 

(437

)

Investing Activities

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(164

)

 

 

(148

)

Proceeds from the sale of assets and businesses

 

1

 

 

 

42

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

(163

)

 

 

(106

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(1

)

 

 

(3

)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

(367

)

 

 

(268

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

792

 

 

 

722

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

425

 

 

$

454

 

Contacts

Investor Contact
Paul T. Luther

(412) 553-1950

[email protected]

Media Contact
Rob Morrison

(412) 553-2666

[email protected]

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